1. Realizing there’s nothing like the old classics …
2. Robert wearing his Christmas Bear sweater in near-70 degree (!) weather for the Design District Walk.
3. Making our first holiday treat—an ICEBOX FRUITCAKE (you’re yelling “YUM!” right?) using my mother’s time-tested recipe (okay, with a few healthier upgrades).
Robert’s “important” part of the process …
Ready to go into the oven … I mean refrigerator!
The next morning …
(It sorta looks the same as before it got put into the oven refrigerator. Except upside down.)
Here’s me taking a picture of the finished Yum! while Robert takes a picture of me taking a picture of it. Whew.
And here’s me looking frazzled and absolutely exhausted thinking about the possibility that I might actually write and photographically document SO VERY MUCH about a */!§£{¥ FRUITCAKE.
Seriously, it’s just delicious!
4. Helping ex-wife Donna decorate her Christmas tree.
Btw, I’m still waiting on someone smarter than yours truly–i.e., everyone reading this blog–to give me a better word or phrase for “ex-wife”
5. The knowing knowledge that we are alive right now in this very moment. We are alive.
Have a Fabulous Friday and First Weekend in December!
P.S. What brings you a bit of joy this Friday?
NealEnJoy 
Would referring to Donna as your former wife be better? Or you could just refer to her as your dear friend, which is what she is now.
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Both are good suggestions, Ellen.
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How wonderful you and Donna not only get along but are good friends. She (and you) look like happy people. I have heard of a step-son (& daughter) be referred to as bonus-son – which I think sounds really nice. However, “bonus wife” doesn’t really work. Someone out there should have the perfect label for this kind of relationship. But unfortunately, it isn’t me. Good luck!
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Ha! I love your comment. I may now HAVE to refer to Donna as my “bonus wife”! I thought about “first spouse,” but that sounds like I’m the President.
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So fruit cake is a non bake dessert ?
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Yes, it can be. The “icebox” version is different from the traditional baked fruitcake.
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Think i might make that for my MIL
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Let me know if you want my recipe.
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Sure Neal that would be greatly appreciated 😁
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It’s easy. One full box of graham crackers, one 10 ounce jar of maraschino cherries, one cup chopped pecans, 1/2 cup raisins or currants, 1/2 cup chopped dates, 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots, 1/2 cup dried cherries, 1/4 cup chopped crystallized ginger, 1 teaspoon rum extract, and one 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk. Use a food processor (or whatever) to get the graham crackers into crumbs. Combine all the other ingredients, stirring to moisturize everything. Put in a greased 9 x 5“ loaf pan, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. There you go!
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Thanks 👍
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Btw, you can substitute any dried or candied fruit that you like or that you can find.
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What another great group of happy bringers! We should all be able to follow your lead. Btw, that fruitcake was insanely delicious! Donna is your very good friend forever…period! Heres to the start of next weeks happy 5!
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I like that name for Donna too!
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Read mine too
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